--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So what, exactly, is the positive…" description: "\"“So what, exactly, is the positive reinforcement that’s being suspended when a child is given a time-out? Sometimes he’s doing something fun and is for..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/alfie-kohn-7728_children_so-what-exactly-is-the-positive-reinforc_1217443.jpg" --- # So what, exactly, is the positive reinforcement that’s… ![“So what, exactly, is the positive reinforcement that’s being suspended when a child is given a time-out? Sometimes he’s doing something fun and is forced to quit. But this isn’t always the case—and even when it is, I think there’s more to the story. When you send a child away, what’s really being…” quote by Alfie Kohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/alfie-kohn-7728_children_so-what-exactly-is-the-positive-reinforc_1217443.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/alfie-kohn-7728_children_so-what-exactly-is-the-positive-reinforc_1217443.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/375/alfie-kohn-7728_children_so-what-exactly-is-the-positive-reinforc_1217443.jpg) > ““So what, exactly, is the positive reinforcement that’s being suspended when a child is given a time-out? Sometimes he’s doing something fun and is forced to quit. But this isn’t always the case—and even when it is, I think there’s more to the story. When you send a child away, what’s really being switched off or withdrawn is your presence, your attention, your love. You may not have thought of it that way. Indeed, you may insist that your love for your child is undiminished by his misbehavior. But, as we’ve seen, what matters is how things look to the child.”” [Alfie Kohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfie-kohn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time‑out removes a child's sense of being seen and loved, not just fun, affecting their emotional development. **In simple terms:** Time‑out withdraws attention. Key Takeaway Prioritize presence over punishment. Themes parenting discipline emotional health attachment Mood reflective concerned Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - classroom management - family routines - child counseling Key Concepts developmental psychology behavioral science education Questions to Reflect On - How do you show love during discipline? - What alternatives support connection? A Different Perspective Time‑out may be ineffective without emotional connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Child Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-away-2762654/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Positive reinforcement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-reinforcement/) [Reinforcement Suspended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reinforcement-suspended-3715427/) [Suspended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspended/) [Suspended Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspended-child-3715426/) [Withdrawn Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/withdrawn-presence-3715428/) ## Related quotes > [As a parent, you soon realise that to get your child away from the TV you have to create a diversion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-strachan/as-a-parent-you-soon-realise-that-to-get-your-child-away-from-the-tv/) [Michaela Strachan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-strachan/) > [When you teach a child something you take away forever his chance of discovering it for himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/when-you-teach-a-child-something-you-take-away-forever-his-chance-of/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [My son, a perfect little boy of five years and three months, had ended his earthly life. 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